Problema Solution

A boat travels 7km upstream and 7km back. The time for the round trip is 10hrs. THe speed of the stream is 3 km/hr. What is the speed of the boat in still water?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


t1 = the time of the upstream trip

t2 = the time of the downstream trip

d = 7 km

v = the speed of the boat in still water

c = 3 km/h the speed of the current


the speed upstream is v - x

the speed downstream is v + x


since speed = distance/time => distance = speed * time


(v - 3)*t1 = 7


(v + 3)*t2 = 7


the time for the round trip is 10hrs


t1 + t2 = 10


by solving the system


(v - 3)*t1 = 7

(v + 3)*t2 = 7

t1 + t2 = 10


we find


v = 3.78 km/h


t1 = 8.97 h


t2 = 1.03h


the speed of the boat in still water is 3.78 km/h.